Tension device for weft-detecting mechanism



une 3 1924. 1 496 367 J E, E. CLARK TENSION navxcs FOR WBFT DETECTING MECHANISM Filed April 18,

Patented June 3, 1924.

1,496,365? ATE? FEE.

EVERETT E. CLARK, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIG-NOR TO CROMPTON & KNOWLES LOOM WORKS, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OLE MASSACHUSETTS.

TENSION DEVICE FOR WEFT-DETECTING MECHANISM.

Application filed April 18, 1922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EVERETT E. CLARK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Tension Device for VVeft-Detecting Mechanism, of which the following is a specification. v

This invention relates to weft detecting mechanism of the multiple plunger type and is particularly directed to the provision of improved tension devices for the weft engaging members or plungers thereof.

A common form of this type of weft detecting mechanism is shown in the prior patent t Ryon, No. 1,221,768, issued April 3, 1917. The several plungers are yield ingly held in operative position by a single tension member or arm which is yieldingly moved forward whenever any one of the detecting plungers is engaged by a sufficient supply of weft on a bobbin in the active shuttle. Such movementof the tension arm leaves the remaining, detecting plungers temporarily free to slide, withoutany tension whatever thereon to resist such movement.

This arrangement is fairly well adapted for use with bobbins having cylindrical p0rtions or barrels with which the detecting plungers engage, but is not entirely satisfactory when used with cone bobbins. lVith 7 this type of bobbin, the plunger nearest the base of the cone and next to the butt or head of the bobbin is first engaged and pushed forward, moving the tension arm out of operative relation with the remaining plungers before they can be engaged by the weft on the bobbin. These remain ing plungers are accordingly not under tension when so engaged and may be moved forward by the slightest pressure thereon, even when the weft is practically exhausted and weft replenishment should be indicated.

It is the object of my invention to provide improved tension devices for weft replenishing mechanism of the multiple plunger type, by which the tension is separately applied to groups of plungers distributed longitudinally of the bobbin. With this arrangement, the plungers in difierent groups are under separate spring tension and the displacement of a plunger in one group does Serial no. 554,387.

not relieve the tension on the plungers in other groups.

This construction is particularly advantageous when used with cone bobbins, as'it permits different plungers distributed along the length of the cone to separately and yieldingly engage the bobbin.

My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A. preferred form of my invention is shown in the drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of weft detecting mechanism embodying my improvements;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof; and

Fig. 3 is a partial front elevationthereof.

Referring to the drawings, T have shown weft detecting mechanism comprising a frame or support 10 in which a plurality of plungers 11 are .mounted to slide toward and away from the bobbin B in the activeshuttle S, the plungers being engaged by the bobbin when the shuttle-box 12 on the lay 13 moves forward.

The plungers l1 are preferably formed from sheet metal and are of a general U- shape, with the lower end 14: thereof sub stantially shorter than the upper or weftengaging portion. The rearward ends of the upper portions are reduced in thickness and are rounded as indicated in the drawings so that they may pass readily through the holes 15 in the bobbins B when the we ft is substantially removed from over one or more of these holes.

If a plunger 11 .is left in its rearward or right hand position, as viewed in Fig. 1, the lower end 14 thereof projects beneath an arm 16 pivoted at 17 to a vertically slidable rod 17 intermittently engaged by a vertically moving actuator rod 18 having a hook 19 at its upper end. The arm 16 is connected to an upwardly and forwardly extending arm 20, the off-set outer end of which is positioned to engage a hook or a latch 22 pivotally secured to the transferrer (not shown) by which a fresh weft carrier is inserted in the shuttle S. v

It will be apparent that engagement of the arm 16 with'the portion 14f of a rearwardly positioned plunger 11 will through these connections cause the arm 16 and its associated arm 20 to be swung about the pivot l7 as the actuator rod 19 descends and that such movement will place the latch 22 in position for engagement with the hook 19, thereby causing actuation of the trans-- ferrer to insert a fresh weft carrier in the shuttle.

The general construction and operation of the parts thus far described is well known and forms in itself no part of my present invention which relates particularly 'to the tension devices for the plungers 11. For the purpose of providing separate tension for groups of plungers, I have mounted a crossbar or frame 25 on studs 26 extending through the support 10 and secured in a fixed block or casting 27. The studs 26 thus serve not only to support the block 25 but also to yieldingly support the entire weft detecting mechanism, the support 10 being held against the face of the casting 27 by springs 28 on the studs 26. This permits the detecting mechanism to be moved forward if engaged by a displaced shuttle and prevents breakage of the mechanism.

A plurality of rods 30 are mounted to slide in the block 25 and each rod is provided with a head 31 adapted to engage the forward ends of two adjacent plungers 11. The heads 31 are preferably provided with lugs or projections engaging the outer sides of the two plungers and preventing relative displacement of the parts. Springs 33 are disposed between the block 25 and heads 31 and hold the plungers 3O yieldingly against the detecting plungers 11. A cover plate 84 is secured to the support 10 by screws 35 and holds the parts in assembled relation.

Reference to Figs. 1 and .3 will show that the rods 30 are preferably staggered and disposed in upper and lower rows, so that the heads 31 of adjacent rods may not interfere with each other.

Having described the construction of my improved tension devices, the advantages thereof, aarticularly when used in connection with cone bobbins, will be readily app arent as it will be seen that the engagement of any one plunger 11 with weft on the bobbin releases the tension only on the remaining plunger of a single pair, while the tension on all of the other plungers remams unchanged.

This permits a plunger ll at the small end limited to the details herein disclosed otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is 1- I 1. In a weft detecting mechanism, a plurality of detecting plungers, a support in which said plungersare movably mounted, and a series'of tension devices, each engag ing a relatively small group of closely adjacent plungers. I I

2. In a weft detecting mechanism, a plurality of detecting plungers,a support in which said plungers are movably mounted, and a series of tension devices, each separately engaging more than one of said plungers adjacently disposed.

3. In a weft detecting mechanism, a plurality of detecting plungers, a support in which said plungers are inovably mounted, and a series of tension devices, each independently engaging a pair of said plungers.

4. In a weft detecting mechanism, a plu rality of detecting plungers, a support in which said plungers are movably mounted, and a seriesof tension devices, mounted in staggered relation and each having anenlarged end yieldingly 'engaging two only of said plungers.

5. In a weft detecting mechanism, a plurality of detecting plungers, a support in which said plungers are movably mounted, and a series of tension devices, each device having a headed end yieldingly engaging two only of said plungers and having side projections on said head to prevent relative displacement thereof. I

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

EVERETT E. CLARK. 

